Arnold named COO of Sounders FC and Seahawks

The long-time member of the Seahawks organization was recently promoted to the COO of both clubs.

Amidst all of the changes to the Sounders FC roster last week, Seattle also quietly made a change in the front office, promoting former Vice President of Sales and Marketing Chuck Arnold to Chief Operating Officer on Monday.

Arnold has been with Sounders FC since the club’s inaugural season, but started working with the Seahawks as an intern in the media relations department 20 years ago and climbing the ladder in their office ever since.

“I’m excited about it,” Arnold said. “In the 20 seasons that I’ve been here, I’ve been involved in I think every area.”

Sounders FC has set MLS records for attendance in each of the club’s five seasons with Arnold earning MLS Ticketing Executive of the Year in 2009 and 2010 and the marketing department has earned multiple league-wide awards as well.

Under his watch as VP of Sales and Marketing, Arnold oversaw the remodeling of the CenturyLink Field Pro Shop and the opening of the downtown store.

“Given his performance, I thought it was the appropriate time to promote Chuck to Chief Operating Officer,” President Peter McLoughlin said. “He’ll oversee all revenue streams, including corporate partnerships and suites; the stadium operation, which gives him the opportunity to really have direct contact with all of our fans and all of our customers at the stadium during our games and events; and Chuck also will oversee our technology area as we look to enhance the experience of our fans through technology.”

As COO, Arnold’s responsibilities will include the leadership and management of the ticketing, suites, corporate partnerships, retail, marketing, information technology, community relations and stadium operations departments.

“I didn’t know this was coming,” he said. “But I’ve been fortunate enough to have been given new opportunities throughout the time I’ve been here, and now feel fortunate for the opportunity Peter is giving me to take on this challenge. You can look at this as a challenge, but I like to describe challenges as opportunities versus challenges. So I look at this as a great opportunity. And I love the confidence that the ownership and Peter had in me.”